Living – Bridging the Paradigms: re-connecting people and the planet

Chiropractic Care Isn’t just for People … or Dogs

May 17, 2012 by Robyn 3 Comments

Some days you’re just goofing off and you find news about somebody who makes a difference. This one is ironic to me, since it deals with chiropractic care, this time for race horses, in particular, for 2012 Kentucky Derby winner I’ll Have Another.

Here’s a link to the article, “Equine Chiropractic Asset to O’Neill Team,” just published in thebloodhorse.com. It profiles Larry Jones, a chiropractor who works exclusively with race horses. Jones’ philosophy is that a lot of physical problems in race horses, especially back issues, can be treated more successfully chiropractically than with medications. It’s his life’s work—a calling and a business.

A lot of people dismiss chiropractic, like they dismiss other holistic modalities, including diet and exercise. So they patchwork a problem. Give a drug for pain. Take some time off to recover. Prey on suffering people with the latest miracle cure.

Sometimes that works. Well, not the miracle cure bit, but you get the idea.

I personally have had better luck in my own life with chiropractic than with most other modalities I’ve tried. My dog, Murphy, also benefited from chiropractic care off and on during her life. And acupuncture, Chinese herbs, diet, drugs, and laughs. I had to work hard to find out what worked for her, and my other animals, Alki and Grace the Cat.

I’ve had to work hard to find solutions for myself, too. Why? Because our current medical system doesn’t like anything that doesn’t benefit a big drug or hospital or insurance company. They’d rather you take a drug, which can mess with your body, than have a chiropractic treatment that both resolves the issue and makes your body, and your mind, feel better.

Case in point: I’ve worked very hard to get well and stay well. Years of work. Now my insurance company doesn’t want to cover a $59 chiropractic bill for anything, including a migraine. They’d rather I pay $100 a dose for a pill. This infuriates me and makes my chiropractor boil. And it should. If we have to pay for health insurance, we should get coverage for what works for us, and not for what some unknown person thinks should work.

So I credit Doug O’Neill for an enlightened approach to his stable’s care. Winning the Kentucky Derby didn’t prove that equine chiropractic care works. But since a winning horse benefited by it, maybe other trainers will look at it for their horses’ care.

After all, we all get out of whack on occasion, and chiropractic works.

Health insurance, not so much.

Why the New iPhone Commercials Fail

May 4, 2012 by Robyn Leave a Comment

I actually have an iPhone. I got a smartphone for my business so I can take credit cards at public events. I wanted the easiest phone to use, and an easy-on-the-eyes background.

Then I discovered you can make phone calls with the iPhone, and if you’re lost and know the tool is there, you can even find yourself on the phone, and possibly get un-lost, if that’s even a condition. I even downloaded a song to play in a workshop I teach.

The iPhone is brilliant. I now understand why people like technology.

So why is the phone’s new TV campaign so poorly done?

So far I’ve seen two commercials. Each star a person—and their phone. In each, the person, one a woman, the other a man, seem engaging, dynamic, successful, and interested.

But they are having a relationship with their phone. They not only like it: they smugly relish it.

Did you notice that there are no other humans in these commercials? One lone human and their talking phone? Doesn’t that just creep you out?

Here’s a better idea: have a commercial in which different people talk to each other about something, sending directions, restaurant ideas, sight-seeing, whatever, but doing it together, all made easier by technology.

But let’s not have technology replace human interaction.

Oh, wait, we already did that. Let’s take it back. Stat.

Profiling the book, Pearls of Wisdom: Mindfulness on the Run

April 30, 2012 by Robyn 2 Comments

Needing to pack a mindful boost into your frenetic life? Try the little book, Pearls of Wisdom: 30 Inspirational Ideas to Live Your Best Life Now! It’s a compilation of short, inspirational essays offering simple, ageless wisdom and advice from well-known self-help authors to up-and-coming self-help authors.

The key to this charming book? Each of these authors has lived what they’re writing about: their personal experience transformed their lives, offering us all the opportunity to learn and grow from their generous sharing.

Here’s the thing. Our lives are so packed we’re frenetically trying to handle practical details for our loved ones—and ourselves. We look for answers, or at least clues, on how to get things done while also finding inspiration to be our best selves. We want to delve under the surface to find an inner meaning that connects us to all life, and to the divine.

But can we do that in 15 minutes?

You can with this book. In it you’ll find “ah-ha” tips on how to connect to your inner knowing, to both clear out blockages and find greater happiness and fulfillment and healing wholeness. You’ll find simple ways to become a more active participant in your life. Along the way, you’ll get ideas on how to build community by seeing the human and divine in others.

That includes applying the Golden Rule to your life, a universal axiom that Rev. Stacy Goforth tracks through multiple spiritual and religious disciplines. Or how to relax, honor whatever it is we’re feeling, and let it go so we can welcome our connection to ‘now’ in the moment, as Leslie Gunterson writes. Craig Meriweather suggests that challenges and problems offer us opportunities to grow, and we should seize them with that mindset.

How do we walk the talk? Connecting our values to our outward daily lives is a struggle. Each of these authors shows how they learned that, from shifting their own image of themselves to quantum soul coaching, a process Michelle Manning-Kogler describes as learning to be the “master of your experience” by clearing out blockages to make room for positive feelings.

Be inspired, too, by stories like Asia Voight’s, who was determined to walk again after a devastating injury—and did, by tapping her intuition. And take heart from the simple comfort that you can run around all day, seek guidance, flitter from here to there, but the first step is to “just sit down,” as Liz Byrne says. Just go ahead and do it.

So here’s a “just sit down” for anyone looking for support and enlightenment, an opportunity to meet visionaries with understandable and uplifting stories of finding wisdom: their “pearls of wisdom” will resonate with you. What will you do with them?

The book leads off with essays by top self-help specialists Jack Canfield, Janet Bray Attwood and Chris Attwood, and Marci Shimoff. The line-up continues with transformation specialists from many disciplines, including life and creativity coaching, shamanic and energetic work, intuitives, and writing and educating.

Pearls of Wisdom authors:•

Jack Canfield • Janet Bray Attwood and Chris Attwood • Marci Shimoff • Barnet Bain • Kelle Sutliff • Renee Baribeau • Chantal Herman • Asia Voight • Wendy Beyer • Siobhan Coulter • Sheila Pearl, MSW • Susan Barker • Glenyce Huges • Robert Evans • Glenn Groves • Leslie Gunterson • Kimberly Burnham, PHD • Liz Byrne • Tami Gulland • Susan McMillin • Debra L. Hanes • Stephanie Bennett Vogt, MA • Lisa Merrai Labon • Patricia Cohen • Craig Meriwether • Marcelle Charrois • Michelle Manning-Kogler • Rev. Stacy Goforth • Jacob Nordby • Tim Anstett • Randy Davila

At Bridging the Paradigms we’re pleased and thrilled to be able to support community by telling people about the intriguing, uplifting work of others. We recommend this book.

Check it out at the Pearls of Wisdom blog tour.

Eagles, Fish, Dogs, and Turkeys: Persistence Pays Off

April 19, 2012 by Robyn Leave a Comment

Last year we had a few months that were both fun and hard at our house. Fun because I met wonderful people at writing events and at intuitive events with my crystal partner, Fallon. People who make me believe that community is possible and present and glad that I keep trying. No matter what.

Hard because both my dogs landed in the ER in the middle of the night, three days apart. Murphy almost died from the dog flu, which is epidemic out here these days. And Alki ripped a toenail off in his sleep, proving that bizarre clumsiness is routine at our house. A month later Grace the Cat got sick. And I was in PT for two painful injuries. We were all sleep deprived, wondering how to keep going, and, okay, hungry.

The solution? We cooked our Thanksgiving turkey early. Grace supervised from the counter while the dogs watched in awe as I lifted the turkey to present it to them—only to see it slide off the platter and hit the floor. Grace was appalled, which is her usual reaction to my cooking, but the dogs were, well, dogs, and immediately rushed forward to clean up the mess.

I had to laugh. I had living proof that even well-mannered, laid-back Cavalier King Charles Spaniels can and will seize any opportunity that presents itself. A meal is a meal, sometimes an adventure, and always a gift.

Which reminds me of the fascinating bald eagles of Alki Beach in Seattle. They are frequently challenged here, but they never give up. They ignore obstacles, or somehow get around them. Do they always win? Of course not. But they don’t stop going around.

: (c) Danny L. McMillin

Like the bald eagle I spotted recently, being swarmed by gulls above the Alki Point Light House. The eagle calmly flew through the gulls, despite being so pressured it could barely spread its wings. It swooped down towards the beach and disappeared from sight. Shortly afterwards the eagle flew up again and right through the angry gulls. Clutching a large fish.

Awesome!

Once again I’d been inspired by a bald eagle to challenge myself (and my animal family) to keep going, ignore the obstacles, or figure out a way to get through them. The eagle kept its focus on lunch and scored, despite being harassed by the neighborhood bullies.

My family could focus and persist, too. And did. Yes. We ignored the messed-up turkey and ate it. And laughed as we put a hard month behind us.

Despite our obstacles, my family and I persevered. We celebrated life and love together. Our favorite holiday is Thanksgiving, even when the turkey gets away.

It didn’t get far, and neither does love at our house.

May we always celebrate together. Enjoy our challenges. They’re part of the story. And the gift of life.

Persevere. Love. Laugh.

Keep trying.

Are You Stuck? Or Living a Bald Eagle Life?

April 16, 2012 by Robyn Leave a Comment

: (c) Gary R. Jones

If life were easy we wouldn’t get stuck. Or laugh. It’s all in our perspective.

Which reminds me of the bald eagles who share our beach with us. I love these birds, and I sometimes think it would fun to be one. And then I think: “raw fish.” Eww.

Yes, it’s definitely about perspective.

Do we learn from whatever comes at us, and enjoy life, or do we overwhelm ourselves with resentment and ‘what if’s’?

Perspective: Ever had an eagle yell at you? One morning about 6 I was out with my dogs, waiting for them to do their “stuff.” An adult bald eagle was perched in a nearby Madrona tree. It peered close at us, glared at my dogs, and then cocked its head to glare at me! And screech! Really, I clean up, but that day I did it facing that screechy bird! I giggled all day, and got some great work done. Does the mundane ever become hilarious? And an inspiration to shine at your work? If not, how can it be?

: (c) Gary R. Jones

Watch your back: Eagles don’t always get along. They’re quite clear about what works for them, and what doesn’t. They get things done.

Do you work out misunderstandings? How? Do you stand your ground when you need to, honoring your commitment to your clients? To yourself? Your family?

Keep your eyes on the prize: Eagles are always watching. Something.

If you don’t reach for the moon, the stars, and everything in between, how do you become great? Be fully present in the moment. Be aware of your surroundings. Be grateful.

Live in the moment: Last spring I saw a bald eagle soaring above I-5 in downtown Seattle, catching the air currents, skillful, unconcerned, uninterested in all the humans stuck in traffic below it. That eagle was free and wild, not impeded by lane changes.

Are you? What inspires you to fly free? What gets you unstuck? What makes you laugh?

I’m willing to learn from my nonhuman mentors. Are you?

Getting Unstuck with Bald Eagles

April 11, 2012 by Robyn Leave a Comment

What inspires you to keep going, no matter what? Is it an admirable person? A dynamic leader? A work of art?

Bald eagles inspire me. Watching them in my Seattle neighborhood reminds me to keep going, no matter what.

Yes, bald eagles.

Why do I write about nonhuman mentors? Because my business is about challenging mindset through storytelling, and creating new ways of thinking about life in the world with my crystal partner, Fallon. Because the people, and businesses, who prosper think outside the norm, to learn from the world around them.

Bald eagles are normal: we just don’t see them that much. So when we do, or hear about them, we stop and think about just what it is we’re seeing. And learning.

I’m inspired by watching eagle generations: the mature bald eagles with the classic white heads and tails and their growing offspring, the mottled maybe-two-year-olds I call the juveniles (okay, maybe the technical term is ‘immature’).

Eagles clearly have the basics in life nailed down. They’re fully present in the act of being bald eagles, even when they goof up.

We, however, live in the most technologically advanced civilization ever, but many of us are stuck. Who isn’t for getting unstuck?

Nail the landing: One morning I looked out the window and saw several dozen crows and gulls in flight, harassing an eagle, who ignored them as it majestically landed in a fir tree. For an instant it was magical, and then the eagle fell out of the tree. As it fell it immediately took flight, with the gulls and crows still after it.

Do you get cocky? Where do you need to tweak your life plans? How quickly do you recover from your goof-ups? In time to soar? Or do you crash? What’s the difference?

Respect your elders; understand the risks: Grace the Cat, our family cat, is an indoor cat except for regular forays through our deck garden. You’d think she’d be clueless about the badass world out there, but she is Grace. She sits in the window, scolds the chickadees and crows, and spies on passing cats, raccoons, possums, squirrels, and even an occasional coyote, but … a bald eagle? One day Grace was strolling towards our sliding glass doors when an adult eagle perched on the light pole across the street swiveled its head and stared right at her. For one stunning instant Grace and the eagle were eye to eye, then Grace promptly flattened herself on the floor, head tucked under her arm. Smart cat, not taking any chances! Scold a crow, yes. Hunt an eagle? Never.

How street smart are you? What do you do when someone is bigger and badder than you are? Duck and cover? Change tactics? Play nice? Hide?

: (c) Gary R. Jones

Run in a good crowd: When bald eagles hang out, it’s with other bald eagles. Every other bird is either after them (clearly not successful, since the eagles ignore them) or respectfully hanging on the sidelines.

Who are the eagles in your life? Why? What do you learn from them? What do they learn from you? Do they inspire you?

Our challenge for greatness: I’m willing to learn from my nonhuman mentors. Are you? It’s a lot less pressure, and a lot more storytelling. The thing is, we know humans, even when we think we don’t. But if you look at the nonhumans you see how others get along (or don’t), without all the game playing that humans do. The lessons we learn from them are priceless: we’re not pressured to conform, as we often are with humans. We’re simply given space to observe and appreciate other life.

To get unstuck from the daily grind. To learn from it. Which helps us soar.

Which makes us great.

Living the Bald Eagle Life: Our Challenge for Greatness

April 9, 2012 by Robyn Leave a Comment

Who are your role models? What challenges you to greatness?

Okay, easy if you’re thinking humans, but my work is about creating community with all life. I tend to draw inspiration from the world around me.

Like bald eagles. Let’s take a look.

Bald eagles regularly perch in a scraggly Madrona tree above our Alki Beach neighborhood in Seattle, benignly ignoring their oh-so-human admirers (and their many crow and gull detractors). Traffic stops, crowds gather, and those of us privileged to live here just smile. We love our eagles.

One thing that is particularly fascinating is sharing our beach with eagle generations: the mature bald eagles with the classic white heads and tails and their growing offspring, the mottled maybe-two-year-olds I call the juveniles (and perhaps the bird people call ‘immatures’).

I tend to look beyond humans for inspiration, from learning to get along to being the best person I can be, personally and professionally. For role models I look to our bald eagles: they work hard to earn a living, but they know what to concentrate on, and when. Bald eagles live their lives triumphantly, despite the occasional goof-ups.

What Challenges You to Greatness?

Who are your role models? What do you learn from them? What challenges you to greatness?

Is it the economy? We’re told it sucks and the stress is making people nuts. But what if we saw our economic quandary as an opportunity?

Think positive. Challenge our mindset. Think fresh. Think …

What in the world can we learn from a bald eagle?

Eagles get what counts: the basics. And they’re fully present in the act of being: bald eagles. Even when they goof up.

Sure, they have to get the basics: screw up in nature and you die. (True for us, too, though, isn’t it?) But somehow we just expect more from bald eagles. After all, they’re not only back from the brink of extinction but confident, strong, and sure of their place in the world.

We, however, don’t always get that bald eagles are just like us: greatness prone to goof-ups. So what does that teach us?

Learn from experience: I watched the bald eagle parents teaching their kids the aerodynamics of flying. They circled and swooped over the Alki Point Light House, the parents dipping in and around the juveniles, who’d clumsily struggle to imitate them, over and over.

Who is teaching you to fly? How hard are you working to learn? How do you measure success? Practice practice practice.

Perseverence: Out with my dogs, I watched two juveniles circling above me, barely clearing a light pole, laboring to gain altitude. They didn’t quit, even with gulls and crows diving at them. In fact, about the third circling they actually began to look graceful as they succeeded.

How do you gain altitude? What keeps you going, and learning?

I keep learning. If something isn’t working in my business, I tweak it or try something new. But I don’t forget the basics. We all have to stay afloat.

Ignore the crowd: Gulls and crows constantly harass the eagles, ganging up on them, chasing and diving at them. I’ve never seen the eagles fight back: they ignore their tormenters, even as they’re often driven off. But they always go where they want to, and they keep coming back. Recently I saw two crows harassing an eagle sitting in a fir tree across the street. Even when one crow raked its butt and knocked it off balance, the eagle simple re-balanced and adjusted its feathers, never once acknowledging the crows.

What’s chasing you? Do you know where you’re going, and why? Do you shrug off disappointments or take them out on others? What keeps you coming back? What makes you the boss, or a team player?

Excel at what you do: I noticed an osprey making off with a fish so heavy the osprey fought to hang on to it and still fly. An eagle swooped in, chasing and snatching at the osprey, trying to get it to drop the fish. The osprey dodged and kept going, until the eagle hit it hard enough it dropped the fish. The eagle snatched it mid-air and flew off.

What keeps you persevering? What makes you give up? What do you excel at? Why? What’s working for you? What’s challenging you to greatness?

Who are your role models, and why?

Why Being Appalled Works

April 6, 2012 by Robyn Leave a Comment

: (c) 2011 Danny L. McMillin

The other day I saw a great bumper sticker. My best recollection is that it said: “If you’re not absolutely appalled you’re not paying attention.”

Perfect.

It’s absolutely the way I feel a lot of the time.

It’s the way we should all feel.

Because we all need to step up and speak up and quit putting up.

Before you think that’s negative, think again.

Feeling appalled is actually positive: it means we notice, we care, we have some basic standards, and we’re doing something about it.

Even if it’s only at the level of how we feel, because that’s where we have to start. We have to see what’s happening in the world and feel what it’s doing to us and speak up about it.

The problem is that too many of us are shutting down. Something awful makes us wince. Maybe. Usually we just turn away, look somewhere else, turn off the news, hide behind our dinner plates.

Remain silent.

If we’re even paying attention at all.

It’s time to quit ignoring what’s going on. We have to think about what we see and hear and figure out what is going on, and how we want to live in the world. We have to stop believing what everybody else is telling us is true and figure out what true is for ourselves. What life is and should be.

Here’s what I know:

A month ago I lost my soulmate: my 13-1/2-year-old Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Murphy. She died of splenic cancer. How did she get it? The damn thing is linked to early spay/neuter. For years we’ve been told to do the right thing: neuter our animals and vaccinate their immune systems into oblivion. The animal shelter and rescue folks and veterinary community have been spouting this nonsense for years, and they know they are lying. My dog died of a cancer linked to early spay/neuter. Be appalled. What do you think? Speak up! Stop it now!
The city of Seattle is talking about building a third sports arena downtown: the first one was vetoed by taxpayers and built anyway, and who knows how the second one got there, toxic sludge? This is abuse of democracy and entitlement of the rich. Be appalled. What do you think? Speak up! Stop it now!
The Seattle City Council recently voted to ban plastic bags from city stores, even though taxpayers voted down the ban! It doesn’t matter if you supported the ban, the democracy we supposedly live in said ‘no ban.’ Big brother said otherwise. Be appalled. What do you think? Speak up! Stop it now!
Last night I saw a Seattle police officer approach a stopped vehicle with her hand on her gun (and, yes, she was fiddling with the handle strap). What is the actual percentage of police officers threatened by drivers or pedestrians on routine stops? Considerably lower than those who are harmless and chagrined by being stopped, and those who become frightened of the police because of their aggressive behavior. What is so wrong in our society that the people who choose to be police officers feel threatened every time they encounter civilians? Or do we have the wrong people being officers? Be appalled. What do you think? Speak up! Stop it now!

What is true? We don’t always know. We absolutely have to find out, even if it means arguing it out. Politely. With facts.

What is right? Educating ourselves. Being thoughtful. Being kind. Being compassionate. Speaking up.

Pay attention: what is government doing with our money? What is religion doing with our souls? What is fear and aggression doing to our society? What is ignorance and complacency doing to us—and our planet?

Do you know?

Pay attention.

Be appalled by what you see that isn’t right.

Speak up. How does love, compassion, respect, concern speak through you?

Tell us. Let’s figure it out, out loud.

How? By paying attention. Being appalled.

It will work. It has to.

Profiling Asia Voight and the New Book, Pearls of Wisdom

March 22, 2012 by Robyn 4 Comments

Bridging the Paradigms is participating in a blog tour to promote a little gem of a book called Pearls of Wisdom: 30 Inspirational Ideas to Live Your Best Life Now! It includes brief, gratifying essays from inspiring people like Jack Canfield, Marci Shimoff, Janet Bray Attwood, and Chris Attwood, all well-known self-help writers and speakers. I will post a review of the book on April 30.

Today, I’d like to introduce Asia Voight, whose essay is “Trust Your Body’s Intuition.” Asia is an internationally known intuitive, animal communicator, teacher, and author, and I’m pleased and honored to interview her. Bridging the Paradigms is about creating community with all life, and it is wonderful to be able to feature other intuitives.

Asia writes about the aftermath of a fiery car crash. The doctors said her legs were paralyzed, and that she would never walk again, but Asia took the intuitive route: she asked her spirit guides and all her allies in nature to help her. She writes here about the experience of a guide coming to her and teaching her how to find the “pause,” or the distinct space between each breath, the place where she would meet the divine and find out if she would walk again.

Asia concentrated, remembering learning to jump rope as a child, and how she had to find the rhythmic place in the rope’s swing, the “opening” that would allow her to sync up with the rope. She did that, and found the “great spaciousness within and without …in the gap between breaths, the pause between words.” In that space she decided that she would walk again, and despite her doctors’ skepticism, she did.

Asia’s story is inspiring, her message important to all of us in our busy, stressed lives. Find the space between breaths, the place where we meet the infinite, and find “universal wisdom.” Trust your intuition.

Now, meet Asia Voight in our interview.

Who She Is:

Asia Voight is an internationally known Intuitive Guide, Animal Communicator, Teacher, Inspirational Speaker, Radio Host and Author. Asia connects with animals on a soul level to help resolve emotional and behavioral issues and assists them in deepening their bond with their human companions. She also helps people to reconnect with their own intuition, healing ability, potential and life’s purpose. Throughout a fifteen-year practice, Asia has assisted over 60,000 animal and human clients. In her Animal Communication and Intuitive Development Workshops, Asia generously shares her skills by guiding course participants to connect with their own intuition, allowing them to uniquely open up to total brilliance in their lives. Asia’s work has been featured on ABC, NBC, and Fox TV as well as countless radio interviews like the Rick Lamb Show and Hay House Radio. Asia is published in three books, including, Extraordinary YOU, The Art of Living a Lusciously Spirited, Vibrant Life and Pearls of Wisdom, 30 Inspirational Ideas to Live Your Best Life Now, with Jack Canfield. Watch for Asia on the big screen, as her powerful story of fire and transformation will be highlighted in a full-length movie, entitled Face2Face.

Our Interview:

Q: What do you think makes this book unique and who would want to read it?

Asia: Pearls of Wisdom is for the new breed of humans on the transformational path. They desire tips, insights, and inspiration for moving out of the confined limits of their minds and belief systems. This book is like an awakening spiritual retreat with 30 amazing speakers, but packed neatly into an easy to read and carry with you bundle.

Q: What kind of wisdom do you have to offer the reader?

Asia: Follow your soul’s path: your life or your ability to walk could depend on it. Don’t believe even an “expert” if it’s not right for you. I give the readers hope that it is possible for anyone to be able to find and connect with their Intuitive Guides or the Universal Wisdom, thereby leading them on their true path even in the face of a crisis.

Q: The publisher promises that the authors such as yourself are “up and coming” leaders in self-help. How does the publisher know this and what is your expertise in “self-help”?

Asia: I’ve been “self-helping” myself first! I broke free from a confined and fearful Christian upbringing, a homophobic abandoning family, and healed myself from being paralyzed after a life-threatening burn from a car accident. I have then assisted over 60,000 animals and people in “living their best lives” by clearing blocks to their greatness and giving them love, listening and support when no one else would.

Q: Most people know about Jack Canfield from the Chicken Soup books and Marci Shimoff from her Happy book. How would you like your readers to think of you? What is your “signature niche”?

Asia: I would like others to think, “She endured the huge loss of her family, her changed body and yet her light shines brighter than ever. She was not defeated, but grew stronger. I can do that, too.”

I’m looking for the readers who are ready to take the “defeats” and “challenges” of their lives and turn them into powerful activating blessings. And if they feel alone, how to connect with their spiritual family and walk through life feeling un-ending support.

Q: What is your most central and compelling “pearl of wisdom”?

Asia: Death, paralysis, fire, and abandonment “losses” are losses that most people are sure will destroy them. However, they can truly be “harvested” into pearls and allow you to live your best life!

Q: How can our readers/listeners find you?

Asia: My website at Asia Voight. I also have a new radio show: “The Animal Code with Asia Voight” on the Awakening Zone.

To our readers: Thanks to Asia Voight for sharing her insight and her passion for her work. You can also find the book at the Pearls of Wisdom blog tour website.

Please check out these inspiring writers. You’ll be glad you did.

When the Universe Is Out To Get You …

March 17, 2012 by Robyn Leave a Comment

I had a day last week when so many things went wrong I was sure the universe was out to get me. It dumped on me. Repeatedly. I had to stop the cycle, but how?

Now, hiding out from the universe is complicated. If it knows where you are and wants to dump on you, and you’re stuck living in it in the first place, just where exactly do you go to hide?

So here’s what happened.

I came home from an event with my crystal partner, Fallon, and noticed the dead bolt on my condo door wasn’t working right. Hmm.

That night as my Cavalier, Alki, and I came in from last call I shut and bolted the door, and heard a cat wailing loudly outside. I looked around for Grace the Cat, then opened the door. There she was in our condo hallway, wailing at me. Apparently it’s okay for her to sneak out when we come in from dog duties, but not okay to bolt the door in her face. Duly noted.

The next morning I remembered the dead bolt problem and decided to check it out: as I was twiddling with the key, the entire locking mechanism fell out of the lock. So much for that dead bolt: I would have to replace it.

Later, I was getting ready for brunch with family, so thought I’d make an attempt to look respectable and dry my hair. But my hair dryer was burned out. Just like that. So my hair had to dry on its own, which it usually does anyway, but still.

Then I decided to take my morning vitamins. They went down okay, but the water that went with them didn’t. It veered off to the side, I choked, and my throat swelled shut. Now, when your throat swells shut you can’t get air from either your nose or your throat, and the end process is: death. I heaved and heaved and after a very long minute I got a breath of air, and finally my throat opened up again. It was scary and what nobody else ever says: just plain embarrassing. How do you admit that you accidentally suffocated yourself—on water? Or explain to concerned family why you’re hoarse (and remain so days later)?

You’re supposed to be safe at home, but in only a few hours my cat had been accidentally locked out, our dead bolt broke, my occasional beauty routine was stifled, and I’d mysteriously suffocated on water.

It was time to run away. Leave home. Be safe somewhere.

But on the way to meet my family for brunch, a bird flew out of nowhere and hit my car windshield!

“No!” I yelled as it hit. I never saw what happened to it. I admit, by then I was moderately paranoid, sure that the bird, alive or dead, would try to get me if I got out of the car, so I just, well, gunned it away from there.

By then I couldn’t deny it: that day, the universe was out to get me. So I decided the only solution was to be defiant, and fight back.

Now I make sure my indoor cat is really indoors. I bought a new dead bolt. I let my hair dry itself, like it usually does anyway. I drive with the windows down, yelling, so birds won’t fly into me, although, strange thing, I’ve noticed that other drivers and pedestrians are yelling a lot, too, so the universe must still be acting up, just not that close around me.

And the whole water thing? Well, we know our water isn’t safe anyway, and if it’s that easy to accidentally suffocate on it, I should make it worthwhile, so I’m switching to Scotch.

Plus I’m being careful—and defiant. After all, the universe was out to get me, but it failed. Now it’s off toying with someone else. For now.

« Previous Page